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Kidney Filtration Problems in Dogs

Nephrotic Syndrome in Dogs

The glomeruli are penetrable clusters of capillaries in the kidney that function to filter waste from the blood, establishing the formation of urine, one of the body’s main methods for disposing of waste products. When filtration cells (podocytes) in the kidney’s glomeruli become damaged due to either immune complexes in the blood (called glomerulonephritis), or due to dense deposits of hard protein (amyloid), abnormal accumulation of which is called amyloidosis, degeneration of the kidney’s tubular system occurs. This is medically referred to as nephrotic syndrome. Patients with nephrotic syndrome lose too many necessary proteins into the urine (proteinuria). Two of these proteins are albumin, which helps to maintain blood pressure and keep blood in the vessels, and antithrombin III, which prevents blood clots from forming.

When greater than 3.5g of proteins are lost each day, blood pressure falls, less blood stays in the blood vessels, and consequently, the kidneys act to conserve sodium in the body. This causes swelling of the limbs, hypertension and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

Since crucial thyroid proteins, which control the body’s metabolic rate, are also lost into the urine, signs of hypothyroidism can also be seen; there is a decreased break-down of cholesterol, and the affected dog often will show signs of muscle wasting. In addition, the liver also increases its production of proteins and lipids, further raising the levels of cholesterol-rich lipids circulating in the blood. This can lead to arteriosclerosis, diminished blood circulation due to thickening, and hardening of the arterial walls. Also, since proteins essential for breaking down blood clots are lost into the urine, the blood coagulates much more easily and blood clots can become lodged in blood vessels, causing paralysis or strokes.

Progressive glomerular disease can lead to urea nitrogen and creatinine (a metabolic waste product) accumulation in the bloodstream, and eventually, long-term kidney failure. Glomerular disease is relatively common in dogs.

Symptoms and Types

Swelling of the limbs

Abdominal enlargement due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen

Retinal: hemorrhage or detachment due to high blood pressure

Swelling of the optic nerve (at the back of the eye) due to high blood pressure

Heart rhythm disturbances due to enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart

Difficulty breathing

Bluish-purple skin color

Causes

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your dog, along with a complete blood profile, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count (CBC), an electrolyte panel, and a urinalysis. You will need to give a thorough history of your dog's health, including a background history of symptoms. The history you provide may give your veterinarian clues as to which organs are being affected secondarily.

Protein electrophoresis may help to identify which proteins are being lost into the urine through the kidneys so that a prognosis can be established. X-ray and ultrasound imaging will show if there has been a loss of detail in the abdominal cavity due to fluid seeping into the abdominal cavity (effusion). If glomerular disease is the cause of the nephrotic syndrome, mild enlargement of the kidneys may also be observed.